The National Basketball Development League is coming to Erie in November, 2008. Erie will serve as the farm team for the Cleveland Cavaliers, grooming players to be injected directly into the NBA. Tullio Arena is going to be one really busy place during that time. The NBDL team will have to compete with the Otters and River Rats for floor space. This also means more sporting choices for Erie residents, something I’m particularly pleased about. The league is currently comprised of about 16 teams and and a 50-game season.
I’ve been a basketball fan for a very long time. I followed the Knicks when Ewing and Starks played against Hakeem Olaijuwon(sp?) in the Finals. Now look at the Knicks…oye. Maybe I could try out for this new team and learn to dunk? Oh wait, I can’t jump very high.
I’ll be more likely to go see some quality basketball in downtown Erie - I think there’s a different level of competition that happens during the game when you compare it to indoor football or hockey. Basketball seems a lot faster, fans can sit right on the court (typically) and you can support or taunt players more easily with the close proximity to the game. More points, more action, more fans and admissions…hopefully?
The team name hasn’t been decided upon yet - I’m sure it’s a fairly long and drawn-out process of choosing a team name. No doubt the process was involving for the Otters, Seawolves and River Rats! I’m still trying to figure out how River Rats was the winner despite the team’s transfer. Maybe we could be the Erie Tropics!
In any case I’ll enjoy seeing some quality basketball downtown!
